For the same tea, being stored in different places means facing different storage environments, which leads to differences in Puer tea collection between the north and south. When discussing with experienced tea enthusiasts, Kunlun found that sending the same tea to over 20 cities across the north and south resulted in variations in taste due to differences in storage conditions, humidity, temperature, and other factors. The difference in regional environments determines the methods for preserving Puer tea. So what are the characteristics of Puer tea storage in different regions?
Storage can be divided into pure dry storage and natural storage.
Natural storage involves keeping the tea in a natural environment on floors below the second level, without artificial processing. The tea undergoes natural transformation. The surface of the tea has a dull luster, and there is no dry aroma. The taste is not significantly different from pure dry storage.
Pure dry storage involves keeping the tea in a professional tea Warehouse above the second floor, where it naturally ferments under constant temperature and humidity. The surface of the tea has an oily sheen, and the tea has a fragrant aroma. The taste is rich and smooth, with a noticeable aftertaste. After a certain number of years, the tea soup turns from Orange-yellow to orange-red and does not irritate the throat. (Major tea companies such as Dayi, Seven Colors Yunnan, Six Major Tea Mountains, and Time Knows Taste all have professional warehouses in Dongguan, Guangdong.)
Saging effect: Compared to the storage environment in Kunming, storing tea in Guangdong results in faster conversion, with the tea broth ranging from orange-yellow to orange-red, having a richer taste and an inviting aroma.
Kunming Storage
Climate characteristics: Kunming has a subtropical monsoon climate, tropical monsoon climate, and plateau mountain climate. There are distinct vertical and horizontal climatic differences. The average annual temperature in Kunming is 14.5°C, with the hottest months (June and July) being relatively sunny throughout the year. Kunming is clearly divided into dry and wet seasons. The wet season has higher monthly average temperatures, while the dry season has lower monthly average temperatures.
Influence of the environment on storage: The temperature and humidity in Kunming are between those in Guangzhou and Beijing. Storing tea in Kunming results in slower conversion compared to Guangzhou.
Differences between Hong Kong Storage and Wet Storage
The reasons for wet storage tea can be twofold: one is the failure to take timely measures or improper measures in high-temperature and high-humidity weather, leading to the deterioration of the tea; the other is to accelerate the conversion process by artificially creating aged tea through heating and humidifying, deceiving consumers with moldy tea.
The aim of Hong Kong storage is based on hygiene. It utilizes the local hot and humid conditions, which are conducive to rapid conversion of the tea, while also regulating temperature and humidity to prevent mold growth.
Puer tea fermentation requires a specific temperature and humidity to achieve optimal conversion. If Hong Kong's artificial technology can control the most suitable temperature and humidity for the best fermentation of the tea, it could be a good method, provided it is controllable and safe.